2017 Sunset Review Proposed Rule

Submitted by Peter Nell on Mon, 01/23/2017 - 13:20

The public comment period is now open for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed 2017 Sunset Rule to remove 11 substances from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). If the USDA finalizes the proposed rule, then 11 previously allowed substances would be prohibited from organic production as of June 27, 2017.

USDA will accept public comments on the proposed rule through March 20, 2017. Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov using docket number AMS-NOP-16-0052.

The proposed rule would remove the following three synthetic substances and eight non-organic ingredients currently allowed in organic production:

Synthetic substances:

Lignin sulfonate

Furosemide

Magnesium Carbonate

Ingredients:

(Currently allowed in 5 percent of an organic product only if an organic version is not available.)

Chia

Dillweed Oil

Galangal, frozen

Inulin – oligofructose enriched

Lemon grass, frozen

Peppers (chipotle chile)

Turkish Bay Leaves

Whey Protein Concentrate

The proposed rule is consistent with the 2015 recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). NOSB reviews all substances on the National List every five years to determine their status in organic production. NOSB makes recommendations to remove substances from the National List using the criteria of the substance being harmful to human health or the environment, the substance no longer being necessary due to the availability of a nonsynthetic alternative, or the substance’s use being inconsistent with organic farming and handling practices.